It takes a team including hardworking faculty and staff to make UMPI a great place. But sometimes necessary knowledge and talent come from people we may not be aware of. Tom Fuhrmark is one of those people. He was not an UMPI employee. But for the last four years, he used his graphic design skills to help UMPI be even better.
Fuhrmark’s wife, Linda Schott, was UMPI’s president from fall 2012 to spring 2016. In June, she accepted a new position. She is now the president of Southern Oregon University. When the couple came to UMPI, Fuhrmark already had graphic design experience. He has a fine art degree in design from Northern Arizona University. In the past, he did graphic design work for a professional development firm. The firm worked with Fortune 500 companies.
Before UMPI, Schott was the dean of the school of arts, humanities and social sciences at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. Fuhrmark worked in the college’s foundation department as a communications specialist. He was also the graphic artist for Sorrel Sky Gallery. Fuhrmark brought many new ideas from Colorado to UMPI.
Soon after arriving, Fuhrmark worked with Keith Madore. Madore directed UMPI’s alumni relations office at the time. Fuhrmark told Madore about email newsletters that are customized to each individual. These customized newsletters became a great tool for UMPI’s foundation office.
“There was a graphic designer working here on campus. But there was more work than there were people to handle the work,” Fuhrmark said. “There seemed like there may be an opportunity to help.”
This was not the only work Fuhrmark did for UMPI. He designed a decal that says, “We are a smoke-free campus.” His most recent project was to design new outside, interior-lit entrance signs. That project needed more than just good design. Fuhrmark did research on what materials the signs could have. He also looked up the limitations of every type of sign. In the end, he helped find a company that could make the signs at the best price. UMPI recently installed the signs. They are located in front of Preble Hall and at the north and south entrances of campus.
Deborah Roark, executive director of university advancement at UMPI, has worked with Fuhrmark many times. She said the customized email newsletters and entrance signs are not the only work he has done. He also designed the images in the front hallways of Preble Hall.
“Many around campus do not know just how much Tom supports the activities at UMPI from behind the scenes,” Roark said. “He has helped me immensely with many projects. I am very grateful for his support and expertise.”
But Fuhrmark feels that his best work has come from helping his wife. Schott’s inauguration took place in fall 2013. It was the beginning of her second year as president. Fuhrmark designed brochures and the inauguration programs. He also created a PowerPoint presentation and designed banners. He sent an E-Blast to invite people outside of northern Maine.
Fuhrmark created many other PowerPoint presentations for Schott. In recent years, Schott has become a much-sought-after speaker. She often speaks about UMPI’s move to proficiency-based education. Her talks have brought national attention to UMPI. Fuhrmark and Schott have worked together to create “media-rich” PowerPoints. Those are presentations that have images and video. Fuhrmark has used his knowledge in those areas to help Schott talk about UMPI’s important changes.
“There’s been a lot that Linda has been able to do to get the message across about what’s going on here on campus,” Fuhrmark said. “And I feel that I’ve been able to play a part in conveying that message. It’s very satisfying.”
Schott is very thankful for the work that Fuhrmark has put into her presentations. She said that he always works with her to find the best images for her message. Their hard work has led to great rewards.
“I can’t begin to count all of the hours he has contributed to this work,” Schott said. “It has all added up to increased recognition for UMPI and the amazing work it is doing in the area of personalized learning.”
Even after all that work, Fuhrmark’s most satisfying project had nothing to do with graphic design. When UMPI presidents near the end of their terms, an artist paints their portrait. The painting gets a spot next to other presidents’ portraits on the first floor of Preble Hall. Fuhrmark, who is also a fine artist, got to paint his wife’s portrait.
“It’s a gift for the university that I’m most personally connected to,” Fuhrmark said.
In Oregon, Fuhrmark likely will not work on graphic design projects. The college already has enough staff members for the work. But Fuhrmark still plans to help Schott with future PowerPoints. He is also glad that he’ll have more chances to pursue fine art. His biggest goal is to have his own art gallery show.
Fuhrmark has good memories of UMPI and the people he worked with. Besides UMPI, he did graphic design work for the Presque Isle Community Players and Bigrock Ski Area in Mars Hill. His work helped him connect with people on campus and in the community. Though he has left UMPI, he hopes that his contributions will help the school’s future.
“I think I’ll always remember this experience as being a key point in my life,” Fuhrmark said. “It has been satisfying in the hope that what I’ve done helps the university grow.”
Over the years, people have come and gone at UMPI. But all of them leave good things behind. Fuhrmark never got a paycheck for his work. But like those who are staff members, he brought new ideas for UMPI’s vision. Turning those ideas into achievements is what Fuhrmark did for the campus. He showed that some of the best results can come from the people hidden behind the work.
